Bundle extraction device and bundle extraction method

Abstract

An electric wire (W) is accommodated in an accommodation unit (12). A left electric wire chuck (14L) and a right electric wire chuck (14R) are provided so as to be movable along the left-right direction, and clamp and hold the respective ends of the electric wire (W). The left electric wire chuck (14L) and the right electric wire chuck (14R) each have: a main body part (141) that is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction; and a chuck part (142) that is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body part (141) around the axis extending along the vertical direction and that clamps the electric wire (W). The left electric wire chuck (14L) and the right electric wire chuck (14R) clamp and hold the electric wire (W) conveyed by an electric wire conveyance unit (2), and accommodate the electric wire (W) in the accommodation unit (12) such that the longitudinal direction of the electric wire (W) extends along the left-right direction.

Description

Bundle take-out device and bundle take-out method

[0001] The present invention relates to a bundle take-out device and a bundle take-out method.

[0002] A conventional bundle extracting device is a clamp rod, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The clamp rod has a fixed plate and a plurality of clamps folded back from the fixed plate, and can extract a bundle of electric wires by clamping both ends of a plurality of electric wires with the plurality of clamps.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-109096

[0004] However, conventional clamp rods require the use of a jig called a clamp rod to bundle the electric wires, which poses problems in terms of space and cost.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bundle take-out device and a bundle take-out method that are space-saving and cost-reducing.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the bundle take-out device according to the present invention has the following features. a first electric wire chuck and a second electric wire chuck arranged side by side in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction and configured to clamp and hold both ends of an electric wire from the first direction, the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck being arranged side by side in the first direction to convey the electric wire, the bundle taking-out device being configured to bundle and take out the electric wires transported by a first transporting unit that moves the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck in the first direction to transport the electric wire, the bundle taking-out device comprising: a storage unit that stores the electric wires; and a third electric wire chuck and a fourth electric wire chuck that are arranged to be movable along the first direction and to clamp and hold both ends of the electric wires, the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck each having: a main body that is arranged to be movable in the first direction; and a chuck that clamps the electric wire and is arranged to be rotatable around an axis along the vertical direction relative to the main body, the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck clamp and hold the electric wire transported by the first transporting unit, and store the electric wires in the storage unit so that the longitudinal directions of the electric wires are along the first direction. It is a bundle removal device.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a bundle removal method according to the present invention is characterized as follows: A bundle removal method for removing, in a bundle, electric wires transported by a first transport unit that has first and second electric wire chucks arranged side by side in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction and that clamp and hold both ends of the electric wires from the first direction, and that moves the first and second electric wire chucks in the first direction to transport the electric wires, the method comprising: a step of rotating chuck portions of a third and fourth electric wire chuck so that the electric wires can be clamped from the first direction, and clamp and hold both ends of the electric wires transported by the first transport unit; a step of rotating the chuck portion of the third electric wire chuck that is closer to a storage unit so that the clamped ends of the electric wires face toward the storage unit, and a step of rotating the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck that is farther from the storage unit so that the clamped ends of the electric wires face away from the storage unit; a step of moving only the third electric wire chuck toward the accommodation portion, and then moving both the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck toward the accommodation portion; and a step of opening the chuck portions of the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck to accommodate the electric wires in the accommodation portion.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the bundle take-out method according to the present invention is characterized as follows. A bundle removal method for removing, in a bundle, electric wires transported by a first transport unit that moves the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck in the first direction, the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck being arranged side by side in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wires from the first direction, the method comprising: rotating chuck portions of a third electric wire chuck and a fourth electric wire chuck so that the chuck portions can clamp the electric wires from the first direction, thereby clamping and holding both ends of the electric wires transported by the first transport unit; rotating the chuck portion of the third electric wire chuck that is closer to a storage unit so that the clamped ends of the electric wires face toward the storage unit, and rotating the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck that is farther from the storage unit so that the clamped ends of the electric wires face away from the storage unit; and moving the third electric wire chuck to the storage unit. a step of moving the fourth electric wire chuck toward the accommodating section from a vertically sliding electric wire chuck provided between the accommodating section and the first transporting section; a step of clamping and holding an end of the electric wire held by the fourth electric wire chuck with the vertically sliding electric wire chuck; a step of opening the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck to release the electric wire; and a step of lowering the third electric wire chuck and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck downward, and then opening the third electric wire chuck and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck to release the electric wire and accommodate the electric wire in the accommodating section.

[0009] The bundle take-out device and bundle take-out method according to the present invention provide the effects of a space-saving and cost-reducing bundle take-out device and bundle take-out method.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a rear view showing the bundle take-up device of the present invention in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vicinity of the electric wire transport unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top view of the vicinity of the electric wire transport unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of the storage unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the control unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a rear view after the electric wires transported by the electric wire transport unit shown in FIG. 1 have been transferred to the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R. FIG. 7 is a rear view after the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R have been rotated after FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a rear view after the left electric wire chuck 14L has been moved to the left after FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a rear view after the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R have been moved to the left after FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a rear view when the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R have reached the storage position. FIG. 11 is a top view of the left wire chuck 16L, the right wire chuck 16R, the left cutting portion, and the right cutting portion immediately after the wires are handed over. FIG. 12 is a top view of the left wire chuck 16L, the right wire chuck 16R, the left cutting portion, and the right cutting portion when the wires are cut. FIG. 13 is a rear view of the left cutting portion and the right cutting portion. FIG. 14 is a rear view showing the bundle take-up device of the present invention in a second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the control unit in the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a rear view of the second embodiment when both the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R are moved to the left after FIG. 7. FIG. 17 is a rear view of the second embodiment when the left wire chuck 14L is moved to the storage position and the first ring portion 151 is released after FIG. 16. Fig. 18 is a rear view showing the state after Fig. 17 when the right wire chuck 14R is moved to the left of the wire chuck 20 and then the wire is held by the wire chuck 20. Fig. 19 is a rear view showing the state after Fig. 18 when the left wire chuck 14L and the wire chuck 20 are lowered.

[0012] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] For the sake of convenience, the following definitions are used for the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" as shown in Figures 1 to 13. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to one another. The "left-right direction" corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention, and the "front-rear direction" corresponds to the "second direction" of the present invention.

[0014] First Embodiment First, a bundle take-out device 1 of the first embodiment will be described. The bundle take-out device 1 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is an apparatus for forming a bundle of electric wires W transported by an electric wire transport unit 2 (first transport unit) and taking them out. In this embodiment, the electric wire transport unit 2 transports finished electric wires W manufactured by an electric wire manufacturing apparatus, and connectors C (Figs. 11 and 12) are attached to both ends of the electric wires W. Note that the electric wires W shown in the drawings other than Figs. 11 and 12 are shown without the connectors C.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the wire transfer unit 2 has a left wire chuck (first wire chuck) 21L and a right wire chuck (second wire chuck) 21R. The left wire chuck 21L and the right wire chuck 21R are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and clamp and hold both ends of the wire W from the left and right directions. As a result, the wire W is held in the left wire chuck 21L and the right wire chuck 21R with both ends facing forward. The middle portion of the wire W extends rearward from the left wire chuck 21L along the upper surface of the base 11, then extends downward along the rear surface of the base 11, then bends back upward, and is held in a U-shape extending forward along the upper surface of the base 11 to the right wire chuck 21R. The base 11 is arranged behind the left wire chuck 21L and the right wire chuck 21R.

[0016] The bundle take-out device 1 of this embodiment stores the electric wires W, which are transported in a U-shape as shown in Figures 2 and 3, in a straight line extending in the left-right direction as shown in Figure 10 in a storage section 12 (Figure 1) described below. A plurality of electric wires W are stored in one storage section 12. An operator can take out a bundle of electric wires W stored in a straight line.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the bundle take-out device 1 includes a storage section 12, a transport section 13 (see FIG. 4 ), a left electric wire chuck (third electric wire chuck) 14L, a right electric wire chuck (fourth electric wire chuck) 14R, a first ring section 151, a second ring section 152, a left electric wire chuck (fifth electric wire chuck) 16L, a right electric wire chuck (sixth electric wire chuck) 16R, a left cutting section (cutting section) 17L, and a right cutting section (cutting section) 17R (see FIGS. 11 and 12 ), and a control section (first control section, second control section) 18 that controls these sections.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the storage section 12 is elongated in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of storage sections 12 are provided along the front-rear direction. Each storage section 12 has a bottom wall 121 and a pair of standing walls 122, 122 standing on both sides of the bottom wall 121 in the front-rear direction, and is formed like a trough with openings at the top and in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the bottom walls 121 of the plurality of storage sections 12 are integrally formed, and adjacent storage sections 12 in the front-rear direction are provided so as to share the standing wall 122.

[0019] The transport unit 13 transports the storage units 12 in the front-to-rear direction. The transport unit 13 (second transport unit) is configured as a belt conveyor and includes a pair of pulleys 131, 131 aligned in the front-to-rear direction and a conveyor belt 132 stretched between the pair of pulleys 131, 131. The pair of pulleys 131, 131 rotate around an axis extending in the left-to-right direction. A plurality of storage units 12 are mounted on the conveyor belt 132. In this embodiment, a plurality of storage units 12 are mounted around the entire circumference of the conveyor belt 132. By rotating the pair of pulleys 131, 131 counterclockwise in FIG. 4, the storage units 12 mounted on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 132 can be transported rearward. Also, the storage units 12 mounted on the lower surface of the conveyor belt 132 can be transported forward.

[0020] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, an example will be described in which the conveyor belt 132 and the storage section 12 are provided separately. However, the conveyor belt 132 may be provided integrally as the bottom wall 121 of the storage section 12.

[0021] 1 clamp and hold the electric wire W. The left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R are provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction from a position where the electric wire W is transferred from the electric wire transfer unit 2 to a position where the electric wire W is accommodated in the accommodation unit 12.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the bundle removal device 1 includes a pair of rails 19, 19 that guide the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R in the left-right direction, and a pair of drive units 110, 110 that apply a drive force to move the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R in the left-right direction.

[0023] The pair of rails 19, 19 extend in the left-right direction and are arranged side by side in the up-down direction. The left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R are supported on the same pair of rails 19, 19. The pair of drive units 110, 110 are disposed above the pair of rails 19, 19 and are arranged side by side in the up-down direction. Each of the pair of drive units 110, 110 includes a pair of pulleys 110A, 110A arranged side by side in the left-right direction and a drive belt 110B looped between the pair of pulleys 110A, 110A. The pair of pulleys 110A, 110A rotate around an axis along the front-rear direction.

[0024] The left wire chuck 14L is fixed to the drive belt 110B of the lower drive unit 110 and moves left and right when the pair of lower pulleys 110A, 110A are rotated. The right wire chuck 14R is fixed to the drive belt 110B of the upper drive unit 110 and moves left and right when the pair of upper pulleys 110A, 110A are rotated.

[0025] 7, the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R have a main body 141 provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and a chuck part 142 provided so as to be rotatable about an axis along the up-down direction relative to the main body 141. In this embodiment, the main body 141 is disposed on a pair of rails 19, 19 (not shown in FIG. 7) and has a left-right slider 141A that is movable in the left-right direction, and a up-down slider 141B that is attached to the left-right slider 141A and is movable in the up-down direction relative to the left-right slider 141A.

[0026] The chuck portion 142 has an arm 142A extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, an arm 142B extending in the vertical direction, and a chuck claw 142C provided at the lower end of the arm 142B for clamping the electric wire W. One end of the arm 142A is rotatably fixed to the lower end of the vertical slider 141B. The arm 142B is fixed to the other end of the arm 142A and extends downward. The chuck portion 142 rotates around an axis that passes through one end of the arm 142A and extends in the vertical direction.

[0027] The first ring portion 151 is attached to the right wire chuck 14R, and the wire W is passed through to the left of the chuck portion 142 of the right wire chuck 14R. The first ring portion 151 is attached to the vertical slider 141B of the right wire chuck 14R. The first ring portion 151 is configured to be openable and closable. The first ring portion 151 has a pair of U-shaped portions 151A, 151A, and the openings of the pair of U-shaped portions 151A, 151A are configured to be able to move toward and away from each other. As a result, the first ring portion 151 can be closed by bringing the openings of the pair of U-shaped portions 151A, 151A closer to each other as shown in FIG. 7, and can be opened by moving the openings of the pair of U-shaped portions 151A, 151A apart as shown in FIG. 9.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the second ring portion 152 is provided between the wire transport portion 2 and the accommodating portion 12. As shown in FIG. 8 , the second ring portion 152 is attached to a vertical slider 152B and is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Like the first ring portion 151, the second ring portion 152 also has a pair of U-shaped portions 152A, 152A, and the openings of the pair of U-shaped portions 152A, 152A are provided so as to be able to move toward and away from each other. As a result, the second ring portion 152 can be closed by bringing the openings of the pair of U-shaped portions 152A, 152A toward each other as shown in FIG. 8 , and can be opened by moving the openings of the pair of U-shaped portions 152A, 152A away from each other as shown in FIG. 9 .

[0029] 1, the left electric wire chuck 16L and the right electric wire chuck 16R are provided between the second ring portion 152 and the electric wire transfer portion 2, and clamp and hold both ends of the electric wire W from the left and right directions. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the left electric wire chuck 16L and the right electric wire chuck 16R are arranged on rails 161 that extend in the front-rear direction, and are mounted on front-rear sliders 162 that move in the front-rear direction. As a result, the left electric wire chuck 16L and the right electric wire chuck 16R are provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0030] The left cutting portion 17L and the right cutting portion 17R are provided forward of the left electric wire chuck 16L and the right electric wire chuck 16R. As shown in Fig. 13 , the left cutting portion 17L and the right cutting portion 17R have a pair of cutting blades 171, 171 that can be opened and closed in the left-right direction, and when the pair of cutting blades 171, 171 are closed, both ends of the electric wire W are cut, and the connectors C attached to both ends of the electric wire W are severed from the electric wire W.

[0031] The control unit 18 is configured by a microcomputer that operates according to a program stored in a memory, and controls the entire bundle take-out device 1.

[0032] Next, the operation of the bundle take-up device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. First, the left wire chuck 21L and the right wire chuck 21R move to the transfer position and transport the wire W to the transfer position. As described above, both ends of the wire W held by the left wire chuck 21L and the right wire chuck 21R face forward, and the middle portion is U-shaped.

[0033] The control unit 18 holds the electric wire W transported by the electric wire transport unit 2 with the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R (S1). Details of S1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in the figure, the control unit 18 moves the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R to the right side to the transfer position. At this time, the control unit 18 rotates the chuck portions 142 of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R so that the electric wire W can be clamped from the left and right directions. Specifically, the control unit 18 rotates the other end of the arm 142A of the chuck portion 142 toward the rear side, so that the chuck claws 142C can clamp the electric wire W from the left and right directions.

[0034] Thereafter, the control unit 18 lowers the vertical slider 141B downward to move the chuck portion 142 downward. Next, the control unit 18 closes the chuck claws 142C of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R to clamp and hold both ends of the electric wire W rearward of the electric wire transport unit 2. Thereafter, when the left electric wire chuck 21L and the right electric wire chuck 21R of the electric wire transport unit 2 release their hold on the electric wire W, the control unit 18 raises the vertical slider 141B upward to move the chuck portion 142 upward. At this time, the first ring portion 151 is open.

[0035] After the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R hold the wire W, the control unit 18 checks whether the wire W transported by the wire transport unit 2 is a good product (S2). The wire manufacturing device in the previous process judges whether the wire W is a good product or a defective product based on images of the wire W and the connector C. In S2, the control unit 18 checks whether the wire W is a good product or a defective product based on the judgment of the wire manufacturing device.

[0036] When the control unit 18 confirms that the electric wire W is a non-defective product (Y in S2), it rotates the chuck portions 142 of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R (S3). Details of S3 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The control unit 18 rotates the chuck portions 142 of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R so that the electric wire W can be clamped from the front-rear direction. Specifically, when the control unit 18 rotates the other end of the arm 142A of the left electric wire chuck 14L toward the left side, the chuck claws 142C clamp the electric wire W from the front-rear direction. This allows the end of the electric wire W clamped by the left electric wire chuck 14L to face the left side (toward the storage unit 12).

[0037] Furthermore, when the control unit 18 rotates the other end of the arm 142A of the right wire chuck 14R toward the right side, the chuck claws 142C clamp the wire W in the front-to-rear direction. This allows the end of the wire W clamped by the right wire chuck 14R to face toward the right side (the side away from the accommodating unit 12). Furthermore, when the control unit 18 rotates the other end of the arm 142A of the right wire chuck 14R toward the right side, the chuck claws 142C of the right wire chuck 14R and the first ring portion 151 are aligned in the left-right direction.

[0038] Thereafter, the control unit 18 closes the first ring portion 151 (S4). As a result, the electric wire W is passed through the first ring portion 151 on the left side of the chuck portion 142 of the right electric wire chuck 14R, as shown in Fig. 7. The first ring portion 151 passes the electric wire W at the same height as the chuck jaws 142C of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R.

[0039] Next, the control unit 18 starts moving only the left wire chuck 14L to the left (S5). As shown in FIG. 8, when the left wire chuck 14L moves to the left of the second ring portion 152, the control unit 18 closes the second ring portion 152 and lowers the second ring portion 152 (S6).

[0040] In S6, the second ring portion 152 passes the electric wire W at the same height as the first ring portion 151 and the chuck jaws 142C of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R, and then moves down to a position lower than the first ring portion 151 and the chuck jaws 142C of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R. This causes a slight downward sag between the portion of the electric wire W clamped by the left electric wire chuck 14L and the portion passed through the first ring portion 151.

[0041] When the left wire chuck 14L is moved to the left and the slack (U-shape) between the portion of the electric wire W passed through the first ring portion 151 and the portion sandwiched by the right wire chuck 14R is eliminated, the control unit 18 opens the first ring portion 151 (S7). Thereafter, the control unit 18 also starts moving the right wire chuck 14R to the left (S8). As a result, both the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R move to the left.

[0042] 9, the control unit 18 opens the second ring portion 152 before the right wire chuck 14R moves to the left of the second ring portion 152 (S9). Thereafter, the electric wire W is conveyed toward the storage unit 12 in a state in which the portion of the electric wire W held by the left electric wire chuck 14L and the portion of the electric wire W held by the right electric wire chuck 14R are slightly slack downward.

[0043] 10, when the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R reach their respective storage positions, the control unit 18 stops the movement of the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R (S10). At the storage position, the electric wire W is arranged on the storage section 12 in a state where it extends linearly in the left-right direction.

[0044] Next, the control unit 18 accommodates the electric wire W held by the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R in the accommodation unit 12 (S11). In S11, the control unit 18 lowers the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R downward, opens the chuck claws 142C, and drops the electric wire W into the accommodation unit 12.

[0045] Thereafter, the control unit 18 checks whether a predetermined number of wires W have been accommodated in one storage unit 12 (S12). If the predetermined number of wires W have been accommodated (Y in S12), the control unit 18 controls the transport unit 13 to move the plurality of storage units 12 rearward by the width of one storage unit 12 in the front-to-rear direction (S13). By the operation of S13, the empty storage unit 12 is moved to a position where the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R can drop and accommodate the wires W. The worker removes the bundle of the predetermined number of wires W accommodated in the rear storage unit 12. Thereafter, the control unit 18 returns to S1. On the other hand, if the predetermined number of wires W have not been accommodated (N in S12), the control unit 18 immediately returns to S1 without executing S13.

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined that the wire is defective (N in S2), the control unit 18 cuts off the end of the wire W and disconnects the connector C from the wire W (S14). After that, the control unit 18 returns to S1.

[0047] In S14, the control unit 18 moves the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R to the left electric wire chuck 16L and the right electric wire chuck 16R without rotating them. Next, the control unit 18 lowers the chuck portions 142 of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11 , the control unit 18 causes the left electric wire chuck 16L and the right electric wire chuck 16R to clamp and hold the lowered electric wire W. The left electric wire chuck 16L and the right electric wire chuck 16R clamp and hold the electric wire W that is forward of the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R.

[0048] 12, the control unit 18 moves the left wire chuck 16L and the right wire chuck 16R rearward and inserts the end of the electric wire W between the pair of cutting blades 171, 171 of the left cutting unit 17L and the right cutting unit 17R. The control unit 18 brings the pair of cutting blades 171, 171 closer to each other to cut the end of the electric wire W and separate the connector C. Thereafter, the control unit 18 opens the left wire chuck 16L and the right wire chuck 16R, and the electric wire W falls downward and is stored in a defective product box 111 (see FIG. 1) located below.

[0049] According to the embodiment described above, by using the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R, which have rotatable chuck portions 142, the electric wires W transported by the electric wire transport portion 2 can be accommodated in the accommodation portion 12 so that the longitudinal direction of the electric wires W is aligned in the left-right direction. This allows the bundle of electric wires W to be removed without using a clamp rod, thereby saving space and reducing costs.

[0050] According to the embodiment described above, the conveying unit 13 moves the plurality of storage units 12 in the front-rear direction. This allows the bundles of electric wires W to be stored in the plurality of storage units 12 sequentially.

[0051] According to the embodiment described above, after the electric wire W is clamped by the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R, the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R are rotated so that the end of the electric wire W clamped by the left wire chuck 14L faces leftward and the end of the electric wire W clamped by the right wire chuck 14R faces rightward. Also, only the left wire chuck 14L is moved leftward, and then both the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R are moved leftward to accommodate the electric wire W in the accommodating portion 12. This makes it possible to easily accommodate the electric wire W in the accommodating portion 12 so that the longitudinal direction of the electric wire W is aligned with the left-right direction.

[0052] According to the embodiment described above, the first ring portion 151 passes the electric wire W to the left of the chuck portion 142 of the right electric wire chuck 14R. If the electric wire W were not passed through the first ring portion 151, the electric wire W would sag significantly between the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R, and there is a risk of the electric wire coming into contact with the device and being damaged or tangled. By passing the electric wire W through the first ring portion 151, as shown in FIG. 8 , the slack in the electric wire W is limited to between the first ring portion 151 and the right electric wire chuck 14R, and the first ring portion 151 and the left electric wire chuck 14L can be made substantially linear. This prevents the electric wire W from coming into contact with the device or becoming tangled.

[0053] According to the embodiment described above, the electric wires W are pulled by the second ring portion 152. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, the electric wires W can be transported to the storage section 12 in a state in which they are slightly slackened between the left electric wire chuck 14L and the right electric wire chuck 14R. In other words, since the electric wires W are transported while being arranged in the vertical space, the length of the bundle take-up device 1 in the horizontal direction can be shortened.

[0054] According to the above-described embodiment, the defective electric wire W is handed over to the left electric wire chuck 16L and the right electric wire chuck 16R, and the ends are cut by the left cutting portion 17L and the right cutting portion 17R. In this way, the ends of the defective electric wire W can be cut off.

[0055] Second Embodiment Next, a bundle take-up device 1B according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 19. In these figures, parts equivalent to those of the bundle take-up device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 13 already described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] In the first embodiment, the storage section 12 stores electric wires W that are shorter than the left-right direction of the storage section 12. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which electric wires W that are longer than the left-right direction of the storage section 12 are stored. A major difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that, as shown in FIG. 14 , the bundle take-up device 1B of the second embodiment includes an electric wire chuck 20 (vertical sliding electric wire chuck) that is movable in the vertical direction instead of the second ring section 152. Since the parts other than the electric wire chuck section 20 are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0057] The electric wire chuck 20 is provided between the electric wire transport unit 2 and the accommodation unit 12 and near the accommodation unit 12. As shown in FIG. 17 and other figures, the electric wire chuck 20 is attached to a vertical slider 21 and is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the electric wire chuck 20 can move up and down from above the accommodation unit 12 to near the floor. In addition, in this embodiment, the electric wire chuck 20 has a pair of clamping portions 22, 22 that clamp the electric wire W from above and below. The pair of clamping portions 22 are aligned vertically, and one end is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. When the other ends of the pair of clamping portions 22, 22 rotate in directions toward each other, the electric wire W can be clamped and held from above and below. When the other ends of the clamping portions 22, 22 rotate in directions away from each other, the electric wire W can be released.

[0058] Next, the operation of the bundle take-up device 1B having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 15. In FIG. 15, steps that perform the same operations as those performed by the control unit 18 shown in FIG. 5 and already described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The control unit 18 executes steps S1 to S4, as in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the control unit 18 starts moving both the left wire chuck 14L and the right wire chuck 14R to the left (S15). Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 18 stops the right wire chuck 14R and the first ring portion 151 at a position to the right of the wire chuck 20 (S16).

[0059] 17, when the left wire chuck 14L reaches the left end of the storage section 12, the control section 18 stops the left wire chuck 14L (S17). Thereafter, the control section 18 opens the first ring section 151 (S18).

[0060] 18 , the control unit 18 moves the right wire chuck 14R to the left (S19) and stops it at a position to the left of the wire chuck 20 (S20). Thereafter, the control unit 18 slides the wire chuck 20 to a height where it can clamp the right end of the wire W, and then closes the wire chuck 20 to clamp and hold the right end of the wire W with the wire chuck 20 (S21). The control unit 18 also opens the right wire chuck 14R to release the wire W (S22).

[0061] Thereafter, the control unit 18 accommodates the electric wire W held by the left wire chuck 14L and the electric wire chuck 20 in the accommodation unit 12 (S23). In S23, the control unit 18 lowers the left wire chuck 14L downward and opens the chuck jaws 142C to drop the electric wire W into the accommodation unit 12. The control unit 18 also lowers the electric wire chuck 20 downward, as shown in FIG. 19 . At this time, the electric wire chuck 20 is lowered to near the floor. Thereafter, the electric wire chuck 20 is opened to drop the electric wire W. This prevents the right end of the electric wire W from dropping to the floor from a high position. Thereafter, the control unit 18 performs the operations of S12 and S13 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiment, the electric wire W is accommodated in the accommodation portion 12 in a straight line along the left-right direction, but this is not limited thereto. The electric wire W may be accommodated in the accommodation portion 12 after being folded in a U-shape along the left-right direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 , after the electric wire W is arranged in a straight line on the accommodation portion 12, the right electric wire chuck 14R is rotated so that the end of the electric wire W faces left. Thereafter, the right electric wire chuck 14R is moved leftward to approach the left electric wire chuck 14L, and then dropped onto the accommodation portion 12, whereby the electric wire W can be accommodated in a U-shape.

[0064] Here, the features of the embodiments of the bundle take-out device and bundle take-out method according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to

[11] .

[0065] [1] A bundle take-out device (1) for taking out, in a bundle, electric wires (W) transported by a first transport unit (2) that transports the electric wires (W) by moving the first electric wire chuck (21L) and the second electric wire chuck (21R) in the first direction, the first electric wire chuck (21L) and the second electric wire chuck (21R) being arranged side by side in a first direction (left-right direction) intersecting a vertical direction, and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire (W) from the first direction, the bundle take-out device (1) comprising: a storage unit (12) in which the electric wires (W) are stored; and third electric wire chucks (14L) and fourth electric wire chucks (14R) being arranged so as to be movable along the first direction, and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire (W), each of the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) comprising: a main body (141) arranged so as to be movable in the first direction; and a chuck portion (142) that clamps the electric wires (W) and is provided to be rotatable about an axis along the up-down direction with respect to the main body portion (141), wherein the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) clamp and hold the electric wires (W) transported by the first transport portion (2), and store the electric wires (W) in the storage portion (12) so that the longitudinal direction of the electric wires (W) is along the first direction.

[0066] According to the bundle take-out device (1) having the configuration [1] above, by using the rotatable third wire chuck (14L) and fourth wire chuck (14R) of the chuck portion (142), the electric wires (W) transported by the first transport portion (2) can be accommodated in the accommodation portion (12) so that the longitudinal direction of the electric wires (W) is along the first direction. This makes it possible to take out a bundle of electric wires (W) without using a clamp rod, thereby saving space and reducing costs.

[0067] [2] The bundle take-out device (1) described in [1], wherein the storage sections (12) are arranged in a plurality of rows in a third direction (front-rear direction) that intersects both the up-down direction and the first direction, and the bundle take-out device (1) further includes a second conveying section (13) that moves the plurality of storage sections (12) in the third direction.

[0068] According to the bundle take-out device (1) having the configuration [2] above, bundles of electric wires (W) can be stored in the plurality of storage sections (12) sequentially.

[0069] [3] In the bundle take-out device (1) described in [1], a step of rotating the chuck portions (142) of the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) so that they can clamp the electric wire (W) from the first direction, and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire (W) transported by the first transport unit (2); a step of rotating the chuck portion (142) of the third electric wire chuck (14L) on the storage unit (12) side so that the clamped end of the electric wire (W) faces the storage unit (12) side, and rotating the chuck portion (142) of the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) on the side away from the storage unit (12) so that the clamped end of the electric wire (W) faces away from the storage unit (12); a first control unit (18) that performs the steps of: moving only the third electric wire chuck (14L) toward the storage portion (12), and then moving both the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) toward the storage portion (12); and opening the chuck portions (142) of the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) to store the electric wires in the storage portion (12).

[0070] According to the bundle take-out device (1) having the configuration [3] above, the wires (W) can be easily accommodated in the accommodating section (12) so that the longitudinal direction of the wires (W) is aligned with the first direction.

[0071] [4] The bundle take-out device (1) according to [1], further comprising a first ring portion (151) that is provided so as to be freely openable and closable and that passes the electric wires (W) on the storage portion side of the chuck portion (142) of the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) that is farther from the storage portion (12).

[0072] According to the bundle take-out device (1) having the configuration [4] above, the slack of the electric wires (W) can be kept between the first ring portion (151) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R), and the first ring portion (151) and the third electric wire chuck (14L) can be made substantially linear, so that the electric wires (W) can be prevented from contacting the device or becoming tangled.

[0073] [5] The bundle take-out device (1) according to [1], further comprising a second ring portion (152) that is provided so as to be freely openable and closable and through which the electric wires (W) are passed, and the second ring portion (152) moves to pull the electric wires (W) after the electric wires (W) have been passed through it.

[0074] According to the configuration [5] above, the electric wire (W) is pulled by the second ring portion (152). As a result, the electric wire (W) can be transported to the storage portion (12) with a slight slack between the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R). In other words, since the electric wire (W) is transported while being arranged in the vertical space, the length of the bundle take-up device (1) in the first direction can be shortened.

[0075] [6] The bundle take-out device (1B) according to [1], further comprising a vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20) that is provided between the storage section (12) and the first transport section (2) so as to be vertically slidable and that clamps and holds the electric wires (W).

[0076] According to the configuration [6] above, by providing the vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20), the end of the electric wire (W) that cannot be accommodated in the accommodation section (12) can be grasped and held down to the floor, thereby preventing the end of the electric wire (W) from dropping to the floor from a high position.

[0077] [7] In the bundle take-out device (1B) described in [6], the device includes: a step of rotating the chuck portions (142) of the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) so that they can clamp the electric wire (W) from the first direction (left-right direction) and clamp and hold both ends of the electric wire (W) transported by the first transport unit (2); a step of rotating the chuck portion (142) of the third electric wire chuck (14L) on the storage unit (12) side so that the end of the clamped electric wire (W) faces the storage unit (12) side, and rotating the chuck portion (142) of the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) on the side away from the storage unit (12) so that the end of the clamped electric wire (W) faces the opposite side to the storage unit (12); and a step of moving the third electric wire chuck (14L) to the storage unit (12). a step of moving the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) closer to the accommodating section (12) than the vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20); a step of clamping and holding an end of the electric wire (W) held by the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) with the vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20); a step of opening the chuck section (142) of the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) to release the electric wire (W); and a step of lowering the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20) downward, and then opening the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20) to release the electric wire (W) and accommodate the electric wire (W) in the accommodating section (12).

[0078] According to the configuration [7] above, it is possible to accommodate an electric wire (W) that is longer than the accommodating portion (12).

[0079] [8] The bundle take-out device (1) described in [1] includes: a fifth electric wire chuck (16L) and a sixth electric wire chuck (16R) that are arranged side by side in the first direction between the storage unit (12) and the first transport unit (2) and that clamp and hold both ends of the electric wire (W) from the first direction; and cutting units (17L, 17R) that are arranged on the second direction side of the fifth electric wire chuck (16L) and the sixth electric wire chuck (16R) that intersects both the up-and-down direction and the first direction and that cuts ends of the electric wire (W), wherein the fifth electric wire chuck (16L) and the sixth electric wire chuck (16R) are arranged to be movable in the second direction.

[0080] According to the configuration [8] above, the end of the defective electric wire (W) can be cut off.

[0081] [9] In the bundle take-out device (1) described in [8], a step of rotating the chuck portions (142) of the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) so as to be able to clamp the electric wire (W) from the first direction, and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire (W) transported by the first transport portion (2); and a step of transferring the electric wire (W) held by the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) to the fifth electric wire chuck (16L) and the sixth electric wire chuck (16R). a step of moving the fifth wire chuck (16L) and the sixth wire chuck (16R), to which the electric wire (W) has been handed over, toward the cutting sections (17L, 17R), and cutting the ends of the electric wire (W) by the cutting sections (17L, 17R).

[0082] According to the configuration [9] above, the end of the defective electric wire (W) can be cut off.

[0083]

[10] A bundle removal method for removing, in a bundle, electric wires (W) transported by a first transport unit (2) that has a first electric wire chuck (21L) and a second electric wire chuck (21R) arranged side by side in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction and that clamp and hold both ends of the electric wires (W) from the first direction, and that moves the first electric wire chuck (21L) and the second electric wire chuck (21R) in the first direction to transport the electric wires (W), the method comprising: rotating chuck portions of a third electric wire chuck (14L) and a fourth electric wire chuck (14R) so that the chuck portions can clamp the electric wires (W) from the first direction, and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wires (W) transported by the first transport unit (2); a step of rotating the chuck portion (142) of the third electric wire chuck (14L) on the accommodating portion (12) side to orient an end of the clamped electric wire (W) toward the accommodating portion (12) and rotating the chuck portion (142) of the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) on the side remote from the accommodating portion (12) to orient an end of the clamped electric wire (W) toward the opposite side from the accommodating portion (12); a step of moving only the third electric wire chuck (14L) toward the accommodating portion (12), and then moving both the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) toward the accommodating portion (12); and a step of opening the chuck portions of the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) to accommodate the electric wire (W) in the accommodating portion (12).

[0084] According to the configuration

[10] , by using the third wire chuck (14L) and the fourth wire chuck (14R) having rotatable chuck portions (142), the electric wires (W) transported by the first transport portion (2) can be accommodated in the accommodation portion (12) so that the longitudinal direction of the electric wires (W) is along the first direction. This makes it possible to remove the bundle of electric wires (W) without using a clamp rod, thereby saving space and reducing costs.

[0085]

[11] A bundle removal method for removing, in a bundle, electric wires (W) transported by a first transport unit (2) that has a first electric wire chuck (21L) and a second electric wire chuck (21R) arranged side by side in a first direction (left-right direction) intersecting a vertical direction and that clamp and hold both ends of the electric wires (W) from the first direction, and that moves the first electric wire chuck (21L) and the second electric wire chuck (21R) in the first direction to transport the electric wires (W), the method comprising: rotating chuck portions (142) of a third electric wire chuck (14L) and a fourth electric wire chuck (14R) so that the chuck portions can clamp the electric wires (W) from the first direction, and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wires (W) transported by the first transport unit (2); a step of rotating the chuck portion (142) of the third electric wire chuck (14L) on the accommodating portion (12) side to orient the end of the clamped electric wire (W) toward the accommodating portion (12) and rotating the chuck portion (142) of the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) on the side away from the accommodating portion (12) to orient the end of the clamped electric wire (W) toward the opposite side from the accommodating portion (12); a step of moving the third electric wire chuck (14L) to the accommodating portion (12); a step of moving the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) toward the accommodating portion (12) more than a vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20) provided between the accommodating portion (12) and the first transport portion (2); and a step of clamping and holding the end of the electric wire (W) held by the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) with the vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20). A bundle removal method comprising: a step of opening the chuck portion (142) of the fourth electric wire chuck (14R) to release the electric wires (W); and a step of lowering the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20) downward, and then opening the third electric wire chuck (14L) and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck (20) to release the electric wires (W), and storing the electric wires (W) in the storing portion (12).

[0086] Although the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0087] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2024-105181) filed on June 28, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0088] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bundle take-out device and a bundle take-out method that are space-saving and cost-reducing. The present invention that achieves this effect is useful for a bundle take-out device and a bundle take-out method.

[0089] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1B Bundle removal device 2 Wire transport section (first transport section) 12 Storage section 13 Transport section (second transport section) 14L Left wire chuck (third wire chuck) 14R Right wire chuck (fourth wire chuck) 16L Left wire chuck (fifth wire chuck) 16R Right wire chuck (sixth wire chuck) 17L Left cutting section (cutting section) 17R Right cutting section (cutting section) 18 Control section (first control section, second control section) 20 Wire chuck (vertical sliding wire chuck) 21L Left wire chuck (first wire chuck) 21R Right wire chuck (second wire chuck) 151 First ring section 152 Second ring section 141 Main body section 142 Chuck section W Wire

Claims

1. A bundle removal device for removing, in a bundle, electric wires transported by a first transport unit that moves the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck in the first direction, the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck, the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck in the first direction, the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck, the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck, the bundle removal device comprising: a storage unit that stores the electric wires; and a third electric wire chuck and a fourth electric wire chuck that are provided to be movable along the first direction and that respectively hold by clamping both ends of the electric wires, the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck each having: a main body that is provided to be movable in the first direction; and a chuck that is provided to be rotatable around an axis that is aligned with the main body in the up-down direction and that clamps the electric wire, the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chucks clamp and hold the electric wires transported by the first transport unit, and the electric wires are stored in the storage unit so that the longitudinal direction of the electric wires is along the first direction. Bundle take-out device.

2. A bundle take-out device according to claim 1, wherein the storage sections are arranged in a plurality in a third direction that intersects both the vertical direction and the first direction, and further comprising a second transport section that moves the plurality of storage sections in the third direction.

3. A bundle take-out device according to claim 1, comprising a first control unit that performs the steps of: rotating the chuck portions of the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck so that they can clamp the electric wire from the first direction, thereby clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire transported by the first transport unit; rotating the chuck portion of the third electric wire chuck on the accommodating unit side so that the clamped end of the electric wire faces the accommodating unit, and rotating the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck on the side away from the accommodating unit so that the clamped end of the electric wire faces away from the accommodating unit; moving only the third electric wire chuck toward the accommodating unit, and then moving both the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck toward the accommodating unit; and opening the chuck portions of the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck to accommodate the electric wire in the accommodating unit.

4. A bundle take-out device according to claim 1, further comprising a first ring portion that is provided so as to be freely opened and closed and that passes the wires on the side closer to the storage portion than the chuck portion of the fourth wire chuck that is farther from the storage portion.

5. A bundle take-out device according to claim 1, further comprising a second ring portion that is provided so as to be freely opened and closed and through which the electric wires are passed, and after the electric wires have been passed through the second ring portion, the second ring portion moves to pull the electric wires.

6. The bundle take-out device according to claim 1, further comprising a vertically sliding electric wire chuck that is provided between the storage section and the first transport section and is slidable in the vertical direction to clamp and hold the electric wires.

7. The bundle take-out device according to claim 6, comprising: a step of rotating the chuck portions of the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck so as to be able to clamp the electric wire from the first direction, thereby clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire conveyed by the first conveying portion; a step of rotating the chuck portion of the third electric wire chuck on the storage portion side so as to face the clamped end of the electric wire toward the storage portion, and a step of rotating the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck on the side remote from the storage portion so as to face the clamped end of the electric wire away from the storage portion; a step of moving the third electric wire chuck to the storage portion; a step of moving the fourth electric wire chuck closer to the storage portion than the vertical sliding electric wire chuck; a step of clamping and holding the end of the electric wire held by the fourth electric wire chuck with the vertical sliding electric wire chuck; and a step of opening the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck to release the electric wire. and after lowering the third electric wire chuck and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck downward, opening the third electric wire chuck and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck to release the electric wires and accommodate the electric wires in the accommodation section.

8. A bundle take-out device as defined in claim 1, comprising: a fifth electric wire chuck and a sixth electric wire chuck, which are arranged side by side in the first direction between the storage section and the first transport section and which clamp and hold both ends of the electric wire from the first direction; and a cutting section, which is arranged on the side of the fifth electric wire chuck and the sixth electric wire chuck in a second direction that intersects both the up-and-down direction and the first direction and which cuts the ends of the electric wire, wherein the fifth electric wire chuck and the sixth electric wire chuck are arranged to be freely movable in the second direction.

9. A bundle take-out device according to claim 8, further comprising a second control unit that performs the steps of: rotating the chuck portions of the third and fourth electric wire chucks so that they can clamp the electric wire from the first direction, thereby clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire transported by the first transport unit; transferring the electric wire held by the third and fourth electric wire chucks to the fifth and sixth electric wire chucks; and moving the fifth and sixth electric wire chucks to which the electric wire has been transferred toward the cutting unit, thereby causing the cutting unit to cut the ends of the electric wire.

10. A bundle removal method for removing, in a bundle, electric wires transported by a first transport unit that moves the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck in the first direction, the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck being arranged side by side in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire from the first direction, the method comprising: rotating the chuck portions of the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck so that the electric wires can be clamped from the first direction, and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wires transported by the first transport unit; rotating the chuck portion of the third electric wire chuck on the storage unit side to face the clamped end of the electric wire toward the storage unit, and rotating the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck on the side away from the storage unit to face the clamped end of the electric wire away from the storage unit; a step of moving only the third electric wire chuck toward the accommodation portion, and then moving both the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck toward the accommodation portion; and a step of opening the chuck portions of the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck to accommodate the electric wires in the accommodation portion.

11. A bundle removal method for removing, in a bundle, electric wires transported by a first transport unit that moves the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck in the first direction, the first electric wire chuck and the second electric wire chuck being arranged side by side in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wire from the first direction, the method comprising: a step of rotating the chuck portions of the third electric wire chuck and the fourth electric wire chuck so that the electric wires can be clamped from the first direction, and clamping and holding both ends of the electric wires transported by the first transport unit; a step of rotating the chuck portion of the third electric wire chuck on the storage unit side so that the clamped ends of the electric wires face toward the storage unit, and a step of rotating the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck on the side away from the storage unit so that the clamped ends of the electric wires face away from the storage unit; and a step of moving the third electric wire chuck to the storage unit. a step of moving the fourth electric wire chuck toward the accommodating section from a vertically sliding electric wire chuck provided between the accommodating section and the first transporting section; a step of clamping and holding an end of the electric wire held by the fourth electric wire chuck with the vertically sliding electric wire chuck; a step of opening the chuck portion of the fourth electric wire chuck to release the electric wire; and a step of lowering the third electric wire chuck and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck, and then opening the third electric wire chuck and the vertically sliding electric wire chuck to release the electric wire and accommodate the electric wire in the accommodating section.

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